SIA cabin crew unhappy with allowance changes, which will see them having to pay back some of their meal allowances

SINGAPORE — A strong Singapore dollar and protracted negotiations between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its staff union have caused unhappiness among some cabin crew, who have to pay back a significant portion of their location meal allowances. These allowances are pegged to currency exchange rates and hotel menu prices in different regions. They are adjusted every two years to take into account changes in menu prices and every six months for currency exchange rate movements. In a circular sent to SIA cabin crew last month, the carrier noted that there had been concerns about how the allowances were calculated. It explained that the cut in meal allowances between July and December last year was based on hotel menu prices in different regions and currency exchange rates. Allowances for January to June this year will be adjusted based on exchange rates alone. While allowances...